Newcastle United celebrated a monumental victory on March 16, 2025, as they defeated Liverpool 2-1 to lift the Carabao Cup, marking the club's first major domestic trophy win since 1955. The triumph at Wembley Stadium not only quenched the long-standing thirst for silverware among loyal fans but also underlined the club's resurgence under manager Eddie Howe.
The victory came with goals from boyhood fan Dan Burn and leading goalscorer Alexander Isak, who clinched his 58th goal for the club as Newcastle triumphed over their rivals. Despite Liverpool's Federico Chiesa scoring his side's lone goal during stoppage time, it was not enough to alter the outcome. For Burn, scoring at Wembley was especially dramatic. "Not bad. I've had worse weeks! I feel like I am dreaming," he said. His goal made him the second player from Newcastle to score in the Carabao Cup final after Alan Gowling, who did so back in 1976.
Burn's performance was commendable as he made 11 clearances and won seven of his nine duels during the match. Isak, who made his 100th appearance for Newcastle, lauded Burn’s contributions: "It was his game. He is brilliant. If he can score goals, then great, but it's the way he defends. That sets the foundation for us." Isak himself had his contribution cut short when he initially had his goal ruled out for offside but later found the net, sealing Newcastle's victory away from the grasp of Liverpool.
Newcastle's tactical approach played a significant role throughout the match, where they stifled Liverpool's flow effectively. Restricting their rivals to just one shot before half-time not only illustrated Newcastle's dominance but also reinforced their status as contenders for future trophies. The team executed high pressing throughout the game, which contrasted with Liverpool's approach of attempting long passes—nearly 50% more than their average this season—reflecting newfound urgency.
Gary Neville, speaking for Sky Sports, emphasized Newcastle's effective midfield control, stating, "The energy and pace of Newcastle's front three set the tone," complementing the Brazilian duo of Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton, who marked their authority by winning nine duels each. Such physicality overwhelmed Liverpool, who seemed unable to adapt to Newcastle's quick assault.
The manic nature of the final also highlighted Mo Salah's struggle to impact Liverpool's game, where he recorded just one touch inside Newcastle's box and failed to muster any shots. This detachment from gameplay signaled an alarming trend for Liverpool as they aimed to rebound after their loss to PSG the week prior.
Newcastle's control culminated at the half-time break when Burn’s header from one of the many corners taken by Kieran Trippier put them at 1-0. Newcastle exploited Liverpool's mixed marking strategies, concerningly leaving Burn unmarked against Alexis Mac Allister. Slot's side had previously managed to concede just one goal from corners this entire season, but against Newcastle, they faltered.
This win also provided Newcastle with ample motivation moving forward, as Isak emphasized, "This is really just the start. We will see more from the fans and what it means for the people when we get back to Newcastle." The atmosphere reflected what it means for the fans enduring years without silverware, and it sent them home with renewed hope.
Off the pitch, the victory also brought to the fore the ownership dynamics surrounding the club, as Yasir al-Rumayyan, the governor of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia, was present at Wembley. This moment raised broader questions about the role of football as both sport and spectacle under state ownership and the ethical conversations intertwined with such dynamics.
While many fans basked in the glory of their side’s triumph, there remained tensions around the idea of reveling fully without considering the larger narratives at play. The juxtaposition of celebrating success against the backdrop of ownership concerns cannot be overlooked. Football this week saw how emotion can be deployed simultaneously for both wholesome and propagandistic purposes.
With Newcastle now eyeing future competitions, the club's rebirth under the new regime stands as both exhilarating and cautionary. The football authorities, fans, and analysts will need to navigate the complex realities of sport and ownership as they step back to assess not just what was gained, but at what cost.
Nonetheless, for the moment, Newcastle supporters can revel in this historic cup win, embracing the significance of defeating Liverpool and announcing their return to the upper echelons of English football.
